But the hand of God was upon him, and he did not do these things without suffering in his mind.  About this time too he began to study the Bible earnestly.

At the age of twenty the great change came.  He attended a prayer meeting, and there his eyes became opened, and he saw there was no hope for him but in Christ.  He read the Bible anew, and from that time commenced leading a new life.

When he was about twenty-four years old Mueller came over to England, and settled at Teignmouth as pastor of a small church.  He refused to have any regular salary or to receive pew rents, taking only such offerings as his congregation wished to give him.  Sometimes he had no money left at all; at others he had only just enough food for one meal, and knew not where the means were coming from for the next.  Yet he trusted entirely in God, and was never left in want.

After this he went to Bristol, and seeing many poor children uncared for laid the matter before God; and, believing it to be His will that he should try to provide some place of rest for these little ones, he took a house large enough to contain thirty girls.

Rather a remarkable thing happened in connection with the opening of the Home.  The money had been supplied, and preparations had been made to receive the children, but none sought admission!

Mueller cast about in his mind as to why this should be so, and he discovered that whilst he had asked God for money to open the Home and for helpers, he had forgotten to pray that the children might be sent; and to this he attributed such a strange occurrence.

Still, the omission was soon rectified, and the Home ere long teemed with children.

This was in 1834.  From such a small beginning the great Orphan Homes on Ashley Down sprang.  Every need connected with the progress of the work was made the subject of prayer by George Mueller and his earnest band of workers.

Again and again he has not known where to turn for the next meal for his orphans; but, as if by a miracle, supplies have been always forthcoming.  Though often in great straits Mr. Mueller has never asked for help except of God, and never has that help been denied.

The following extract from his journal will show the trials to which Mr. Mueller has been subjected:  “Never were we so reduced in funds as to-day.  There was not a single halfpenny in hand between the matrons of the three orphan houses.  There was a good dinner, and by managing to help one another by bread, etc., there was a prospect of getting over the day also; but for none of the houses had we the prospect of being able to take in bread.  When I left the brethren and sisters at one o’clock after prayer I told them that we must wait for help, and see how the Lord would deliver us this time.”  About twenty yards from his home he met a person interested in the Homes who gave him L20.  This is but a sample of many occasions upon which, having waited upon God in simple faith, help has arrived at the very hour it has been needed.